Reds Top Phils as Rose and Harper Go Deep

July 4, 1965 - Thirty-six-year-old Joe Nuxhall pitched a superb five-hitter and Pete Rose and Tommy Harper exploded Independence Day depth bombs in a 4-1 sinking of the Phillies today before a crowd of 14,749 at Connie Mack Stadium.

The victory was a big one for the Reds, who moved within one game of the league-leading Dodgers, losers today to the Astros, 3-1. Tomorrow night, the Dodgers drop into Crosley Field for the first of a crucial three-game set with the Reds.

Nuxhall was never better in going the distance for the first time this year in muggy, 90-degree temperature to post his third victory in five decisions. The 6-3, 230-pound southpaw, who has a 21-10 lifetime record against Philadelphia, walked three and struck out nine.

“It wasn’t bad at all out there,” Nuxhall said. “There was even a little breeze. I didn’t get tired, although that’s what he [Reds manager Dick Sisler] came out to the mound to ask me about in the ninth.”

After fanning Dick Stuart for the third straight time at the start of the home ninth, Nuxhall gave up his third walk, to Alex Johnson. When Ruben Amaro, the only Phil with two hits, grounded a single up the middle, Sisler went out to talk to his pitcher.

Convinced that Nuxhall still had his stuff, Sisler returned to the dugout, and three pitches later, the game was over. Bobby Wine smashed a 2-1 delivery on the ground to shortstop, and Leo Cardenas flipped the ball to Rose to start the Reds’ second double play of the game.

Sharing the spotlight with Nuxhall were Rose and Harper.

Rose, playing the best all-around second base in the majors, doubled home the first two runs in the third to start Bo Belinsky on his way to a mid-game shower with his fifth defeat in eight decisions.

Harper, enjoying his best season, chipped in with a two-run homer after walking and scoring the game’s first run.

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